Compressible tube pump



Jan. 4, 1966 J. ISREELI ET AL 3,227,091

COMPRES S IBLE TUBE PUMP Filed Oct. 4, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY Hay/9,9 f/E/MANN ,4 from/5y Jan. 4, 1966 J. ISREEL] ET AL 3,227,091

COMPRESS IBLE TUBE PUMP Filed Oct. 4, 1963 3 SheetsSheet 2 j. E INVENTORS .1 8

A TTOP/Yf) Jan. 4, 1966 J. ISREEL] ET AL 3,227,091

COMPRESS IBLE TUBE PUMP Filed Oct. 4, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS dAcK /S)PEL/ BY /?ICHAQD H HE/MA/Y/Y Arrow/6y United States Patent Ofiice 3,227,091 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 COMPRESSEBLE TUBE PUMP .i'ack Isreeli, Mamaroneek, and Richard H. Heimann, Flushing, N.Y., assignors to Technicon Instruments YCorpkor-ation, Chauncey, N.Y., a corporation of New Filed Oct. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 313,993 14 Claims. (Cl. 103-149) This invention relates to pumps of the compressible tube type, especially useful in simultaneously pumping a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions at predetermined flow rates.

In fluid pumps of the type shown and described, for example, in US. Patent No. 2,935,028 issued on May 3, 1960, and the US. Patent No. 3,128,717, issued April 14, 1964 to Edwin C. Weiskopf, the pump includes a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes which are disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions. The tubes preferably have substantially the same wall thickness so that all of the tubes can be closed simultaneously at points intermediate their lengths, respectively, along a transverse line. The pump includes a platen "and a plurality of rollers which are engageable with the tubes for simultaneously compressing the tubes progressively along their lengths against the surface of the platen for the pumping operation.

Pursuant to one of the objects of the invention, means are provided to significantly increase the capacity of the pump by making it possible to use a comparatively large number of flexible tubes in the pump. Another object is to provide improved means for opera tively relatively positioning the platen and rollers despite the increased resistance thereto resulting from the use of an increased number of tubes.

Another object is to provide means for increasing the tube closing pressure of the rollers on the tubes without creating excessive pressure on the walls of the tubes to thereby avoid any detrimental eiiect on the tubes which might otherwise occur because of the increased closing pressures.

A further object is to provide a proportioning pump of the indicated type of generally improved construction and increased operational efliciency.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention are believed made clear by the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are illustrative of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view, with parts cut away and parts in section for purposes of illustration, of a proportioning pump constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 33 of PEG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view, with parts cut away for purposes of illustration, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, and depicts the proportioning pump of the invention in the operative or closed position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrative of the method utilized to open the said pump; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings .in detail, and especially FIGS. 1 and 2, the pump it) comprises a main support member 12 preferably in the form of a housing. Two spaced, longitudinally extending frame members 14 are pivotally mounted at corresponding extremities thereof on the main support member 12 in any convenient manner, as for example by shafts 16 connected therebetween as shown. A platen 18, comprising upper and lower portions 20 and 22, respectively, interconnected by a plurality of compression springs 24, is removably secured at opposite transverse extremities thereof to the said frame members by attachment screws 26 extending between the said upper portion and frame members. Pursuant to the herein disclosed preferred embodiment of our invention, a relatively large number, for example fifteen, of the said compression springs is preferably provided to significantly increase the tube closing pressure in a. manner made clear in detail hereinbelow. Guide screws 28 are best seen in FIG. 3 to slidably pass through sleevelike elements 3%} in the upper platen portion 2% for threaded engagement with holes provided therefor in the lower platen portion 22, and function to guide the substantially vertical movement of the latter relative to the said upper platen portion. Limiting rails 32 are attached to the lower platen portion 22 by attachment screws 34 extending therebetween as best seen in FIG. 3 and function, in a manner made clear hereinbelow, to limit the amount of pressure which can be applied to the pump tubes.

Pump tubes mounting blocks 36 are positioned as shown by mounting pins 38 on the main support member 12 adjacent opposite longitudinal extremities of the platen. The said blocks include a plurality of aligned pairs of tube support grooves 4h formed therein of shapes complementary to the respective shapes of the pump tubes. The interior surface portions of the said grooves slope downwardly toward the platen as indicated at &2 in FIG. 2 whereby a relatively gradual slope is provided for the bending of the tubes. The pump tubes 44 are operatively positioned within the proportioning pump of the invention by the placement of each of said tubes within an aligned pair of grooves 4h so that the said tubes extend, with a relatively slight amount of slack when the pump is open, between the said mounting blocks. The tubes are retained in position in the said grooves on the said mounting blocks by collar elements 46 attached thereto in the manner made clear in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tubes will preferably have substantially the same wall thickness so that all of them can be completely closed simultaneously at points intermediate their lengths, respectively, along a common transverse line by engagement of the rollers with the tubes along said transverse line as made clear hereinbelow. The tubes may be of dilferent inside diameters so that different quantities of fluid can be pumped thcrethrough, and it will be observed that during operation of the pump, a plurality of different fluids of different quantities, respectively, may be pump-ed simultaneously. The lower portion 22 of the platen is provided with inclined pressure relieving portions as indicated at 43 in FIG. 2 whereby the fluid pressure in the tubes may be gradually increased and decreased by the rollers in a manner made clear hereinbelow.

The roller assembly, and drive means therefor, are indicated generally at 52, and comprise a drive shaft 54- journaled for rotation in bearing 55 which are in turn positioned as shown in opposite side walls 11 of the main support housing 12. in operation, the drive shaft is driven at appropriate speed in any convenient manner, as for example by an electric motor o-peratively corinected thereto, to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2. If desired, the said electric motor may be conveniently positioned within main support housing 12 between opposite side walls Ill thereof. A chain drive sprocket wheel 58 is fixedly secured to the said drive shaft adjacent one side wall 11 by a pin 60 extending therebetween whereby the said wheel will rotate in unison with the said shaft. A second, non-illus'trated,

sprocket wheel of substantially identical construction is similarly attached to the said drive shaft adjacent the other side wall 11. A pair of generally elongated chain guide members 62, comprising rounded end portions 6-4, are fixedly secured to the respective side walls 11 by spacer blocks 66 and attachment screws 68 extending therebetween, with each of the said guide members positioned in substantially vertical alignment with the operative chain driving portions of the respective sprocket wheels. Two endless chains 72, each comprising interconnected links 73, are positioned in identical manners around the respective sprocket wheels and guide members in operative engagement therewith whereby counterclockwise rotation of the said sprocket wheels, resulting from driven counterclockwise rotation of the drive shaft 54, will result in corresponding counterclockwise movement of the chains around the said sprocket wheels and guide members. Generally circular guide elements 74, including flanged edge portions 75 projecting therefrom for cooperation with the edges of guide members 62, are incorporated as shown at aligned, correspondingly spaced intervals along the lengths of the respective chains. Roller element attachment shafts '76 extend between each pairof aligned guide elements 74 and are maintained in position relative thereto by snap rings '79 whereby the said chains are attached together to form a unitary assembly for corresponding driven movement thereof by the said sprocket wheels 58. A hollow, generally cylindrical roller element 78 is rotatably journaled on each of said attachment shafts by hearing members 30 positioned therebetween at opposite extremities of the said roller elements. Thus may be understood whereby driven counterclockwise rotation of the drive shaft 54 will result in corresponding longitudinal movement of the roller elements relative to the undersurface of the lower platen portion 22 and the tubes 44 positioned therebetween, to progressively compress the said tubes in the direction from right to left as seen in FIG. 2 and etfect a correspondingly directed pumping action on fluids flowing within the said tubes. Limiting rails 32 may be seen in FIG. 3 to extend below the undersurface of the lower platent portion 22 a distance equal substantially to twice the respective wall thicknesses (all of which are preferably substantially equal as set forth hereinabove) of the tubes 44, whereby may be appreciated that the roller elements will be maintained, by the contact thereof with the said limiting rails, at least this distance from the adjacent platen portion to prevent damage to the said tubes while at the same time enabling a substantially complete closing thereof against the not inconsiderable, for example 450 pound, combined force of the compression springs 24.

The means for closing the platen, e.g. moving it into the operative position thereof depicted in FIG. 4 to compress the tubes 44 against the said combined force of the springs 24, and maintaining it in such position, are indicated generally at 82 and comprise a generally U-shaped operating handle 84. The said operating handle is pivotally attached adjacent corresponding extremities of the respective frame members 14 by slotted attachment members 86, aflixed to the said handle in any convenient manner, and pivot pins 83 rotatably extending between the said attachment and frame members. Each of the attachment members includes a locking pin 90 (FIGS. 4 and projecting outwardly therefrom for locking the platen in place in a manner made clear hereinbelow.

Support shaft 92 extends as shown in FIG. 6 between the opposite walls 11 of the main support member 12 and is journaled for rotation in bearing members 94 positioned within the latter. The said shaft includes four, paired hub members 96 fixedly positioned thereon as shown by set screws 98 extending therebetween. Two locking levers 1%, are pivotally supported intermediate the respective lengths thereof on the support shaft 92 by support bearing assemblies 102 maintained on the said shaft between each pair of hub members 96. The locking levers extend upwardly from the shaft through movement limiting slots 103 [formed in the main support member 12, and include locking notches 104 formed adjacent the remote extremities thereof for cooperation with locking pins 96 to lock the platen in place in the manner depicted in FIG. 4.

A locking lever release handle 106 is fixedly secured, in any convenient manner, as by brazing at 107, to the left-most pair of hub members 96 as seen in FIG. 6, and extends upwardly therefrom through the limiting slot 103 into a readily accessible position atop the main support member 12. Two, generally U-shaped spring holding members 108 are each fixedly secured to a respective pair of hub members 96 in the manner of release handle 106 and extend downwardly therefrom, whereby may be understood that the support shaft 92, hub members 96, release handle 106 and spring holding members 1438 constitute a functionally integral assembly, with movement of one, as for example the release handle, resulting in corresponding movement of the others. The locking levers 100 each include lower portions 116 which extend downwardly from the support shaft 92 to posi-- tions within the respective, generally U-shaped spring;

holders 108 positioned in alignment therewith.

Ball-shaped, spring attachment members 112 and 114 are fixedly attached to the respective aligned extremities of each of the locking lever portions 110 and spring holders 108, and a compression spring 116 attached therebetween in compression so as to tend to separate the said ball-shaped attachment members.

In preparing the pump of our invention for operation, the platent is moved to the open position thereof by pivotal movement of the frame members 14 about shaft 16 in the counterclockwise direction as indicated in dashed lines and :by the arrow in FIG. 5. The pump tubes 44 are then each positioned in a pair of aligned grooves 40 in the respective tube mounting members 36 to extend therebetween in a slightly slack condition, whereupon the tube collars 46 are positioned relative to the said mounting members so that the said tubes will remain properly positioned in the said grooves and extend therebetween in the slackless, relatively taut condition depicted in FIG. 2 upon the closing of the platen.

Movement of the release handle 106 in the counterclockwise direction to the position thereof depicted in phantom in FIG. 5 follows, whereupon the corresponding movement of the functionally integral spring holder 1% about support shaft 2 will result in the locking levers 1% being moved in the clockwise direction about the said support shaft through the compressive action of the toggle springs 116 on lower locking lever portions 119. Thus, the locking levers will be moved to the open positions thereof depicted in the subject figure. The platen is then moved to the closed position thereof (FIG. 2) by pivotal movement of the frame mem bers 14 about shaft 16 in the clockwise direction through the use of handle 84, whereupon the frame members,v handle, and locking levers will be in approximately the respective positions thereof depicted in FIG. 5 with the locking pins almost in engagement with the said locking levers at a point below the surface of the locking notches 104 formed in the latter. At this juncture, the release handle is moved in the clockwise direction to the position thereof depicted in phantom in FIG. 4 whereupon the corresponding movement of the spring holders to the position thereof depicted in the said figure will cause toggle spring 116 to exert a force on locking levers tending to move the latter in the counterclockwise direction against the restraint of attachment pins 96 to thus insure continued surface contact between the said levers and pins.

Pivotal movement in the counterclockwise direction of handle 84 follows whereby the said handle is moved aaa'zgosi from the position thereof shown in FIG. 5 to that shown in FIG. 4. This results in entry of locking pins 90 into locking notches 104 and concurrent pivotal movement of the said pins about the centers of pivot pins 88, whereby the manually applied force is multiplied into a considerable downward force which is applied to the locking pins by the downwardly facing surface of the locking notches in contact therewith. This downward force is translated to the upper platen portion 20 through at-- tachment members 36, pivot pins 88, frame members 14 and attachment screws 26, respectively, and therefrom to the lower platen portion 22 through compression springs 24, whereby may be appreciated the manner in which the application of a considerable closing force to the tube portions operatively positioned between the undersurface of the said lower platen portion and the roller elements 78, is effected upon the closing of the platen.

To open the platen, the procedure is reversed. Thus, the release handle 106 is moved in the counterclockwise direction about support shaft 92 to the position thereof depicted in phantom in FIG. 5, whereby the toggle springs 116 will bias the locking levers 100 in the clockwise direction away from contact with the locking pins 99. Handle 34 is then moved in the clockwise direction about pivot pins 88 to the position thereof depicted in FIG. 5, until each attachment member $6 abuts a respective stop pin 12h projecting from each frame member 14, whereby the locking pins will be moved out of the lock ing notch and the locking levers moved by the action of the said toggle springs to the position thereof depicted in FIG. 5. Handle 84 may then be utilized to pivotally move the frame members 14 in the counterclockwise direction about shafts 16 to open the platen, i.e. pivotally lift it from contact with the tubes 44. Thus may be understood that the apparatus of our invention provides for the use of a significantly increased number of pump tubes, to thus materially increase the capacity of the pump, while maintaining tube closing pressures of sufficient magnitude to completely close all of the tubes simultaneously during the pumping operation.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in the form and arrangement of parts and in the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a plurality of rollers disposed to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen disposed to a substantially opposite side of said tubes and adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween, said platen being movable relative to said tubes from a first position in which said platen does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said platen does contact said tubes, manually operable means for receiving a force for moving said platen from said first to said second position, and means coupled to said manually operable means for multiplying the manually applied force which is effective to move said platen from said first to said second position and to releasably maintain said platen in said second position.

2. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a plurality of rollers disposed to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simul taneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen disposed to a substantially opposite side of said tubes and adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween, said platen being movable relative to said tubes from a first position in which said platen does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said platen does contact said tubes, manually operable ieans for receiving a force for moving said platen from said first to said second position, and means coupled to said manually operable means for multiplying the manually applied force which is effective to move said platen from said first to said second position and to releasably maintain said platen in said position, said manually operable means including a handle connected to said platen by a pivot, and said means coupled thereto comprising a multi-part mechanical advantage providing locking mechanism with at least one of said parts being connected to said handle.

3. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member, a plurality of rollers mounted by said support member to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen pivotally mounted to a substantially opposite side of said tubes and adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position thereof in which said platen does not contact said tubes to a second position thereof in which said platen does contact said tubes, handle means connected to said platen by a pivot for receiving a force for moving said platen from said first to said second position, and means coupled to said handle means for multiplying the applied force which is effective to move said platen from said first position to said second position and to releasably maintain said platen in said position, including a multi-part mechanical advantage providing locking mechanism with at least one of said parts being connected to said handle means and another of said parts being connected to said main support member for releasably engaging said first mentioned part.

4. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, :1 main support member, .a plurality of rollers mounted by said support member to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen pivotally mounted to a substantially opposite side of said tubes and adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position thereof in which said platen does not contact said tubes to a second position thereof in which said platen does contact said tubes, handle means pivotally connected to said platen for moving said platen between said first and. second positions, and means cooperatively associated with said handle means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith during the movement of said platen into said second position and for releasably maintaining said platen positioned therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a locking pin projecting from said handle, and

a locking lever pivotally connected to said main support member and including a locking notch formed therein adapted to receive said locking pin, whereby said handle and said lever may be relatively positioned to in turn position said pin within said notch and said handle pivotally moved about the connection thereof to said platen to move said platen into said second position through the action of said notch on said pin and maintain said platen positioned therein.

5. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member, a plurality of rollers mounted by said support member to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen pivotally mounted to a substantially opposite side of said tubes and adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position thereof in which said platen does not contact said tubes to a second position thereof in which said platen does contact said tubes, handle means pivotally connected to said platen for moving said platen between said first and second positions, and means cooperatively associated with said handle means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith during the movement of said platen into said. second position and for releasably maintaining said platen positioned therein, said last mentioned means comprising a locking pin projecting from said handle, and a locking lever pivotally connected to said main support member and including a locking notch formed therein adapted to receive said locking pin, whereby said handle and said lever may be relatively positioned to in turn position said pin within said notch and said handle pivotally moved about the connection thereof to said platen to move said platen into said second position through the action of said notch on said pin and maintain said platen positioned therein, and spring biased release means operatively associated with said locking lever and movable from a first position in which said lever is biased toward said pin to a second position in which said lever is biased away from said pin.

6. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member comprising a housing formed therein, a plurality of rollers positioned within said housing to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen comprising first and second portions with a plurality of compression springs interconnected therebetween, said platen being pivotally mounted on said support member to a substantially opposite side of said tubes with said second platen portion being adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween by the action of said compression springs on said second platen portion, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position in which said second platen portion does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said second platen portion does contact said tubes, manually operable means for receiving a force for moving said platen from said first to said second position, and means coupled to said manually operable means for multiplying the manually applied force which is effective to move said platen from said first to said second position against the bias of said compression springs and to releasably maintain said platen in said second position.

7. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a plurality of rollers positioned within said housing to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen comprising first and second portions with a plurality of compression springs interconnected therebetween, said platen being pivotally mounted on said support member to a substantially opposite side of said tubes with said second platen portion being adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween by the action of said compression springs on said second platen portion, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position in which said second platen portion does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said second platen portion does contact said tubes, means for moving said platen between said first and second positions, and means cooperatively associated with said moving means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith to facilitate the movement of said platen into said second position against the action of said compression springs and for releasably maintaining said platen positioned therein, said moving means comprising a handle pivotally attached to said platen, and said means cooperatively associated therewith comprising a multi-part locking mechanism with at least one of said parts being connected to said handle.

8. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member comprising a housing formed therein, a plurality of rollers positioned within said housing to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen comprising first and second portions with a plurality of compression springs interconnected therebetween, said platen being pivotally mounted on said support member to a substantially opposite side of said tubes with said second platen portion being adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween by the action of said compression springs on said second platen portion, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position in which said second platen portion does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said second platen portion does contact said tubes, handle means pivotally attached to said platen for moving said platen between said first and second portions, and means cooperatively associated with said handle means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith to facilitate the movement of said platen into said second position against the action of said compression springs and for releasably maintaining said platen positioned therein.

9. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member comprising a housing formed therein, a plurality of rollers positioned within said housing to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen comprising first and second portions with a plurality of compression springs interconnected therebetween, said platen being pivotally mounted on said support member to a substantially opposite side of said tubes with said second plat n portion being adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with 3 the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween by the action of said compression springs on said second platen portion, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position in which said second platen portion does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said second platen portion does contact said tubes, handle means pivotally attached to said platen for moving said platen between said first and second portions, and means cooperatively associated with said handle means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith to facilitate the movement of said platen into said second position against the action of said compression springs and for releasably maintaining said platen positioned therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a multi-part locking mechanism with at least one of said parts being connected to said handle means and at least another of said parts being connected to said main support member for releasably engaging said first-mentioned part.

10. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member comprising a housing formed therein, a plurality of rollers positioned within said housing to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen comprising first and second portions with a plurality of compression springs interconnected therebetween, said platen being pivotally mounted on said support member to a substantially opposite side of said tubes with said second platen portion being adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween by the action of said compression springs on said second platen portion, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position in which said second platen portion does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said second platen portion does contact said tubes, handle means pivotally attached to said platen for moving said platen between said first and second portions, and means cooperatively associated with said handle means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith to facilitate the movement of said platen into said second position against the action of said compression springs and for releasably maintaining said platen positioned therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a locking pin projecting from said handle, and a locking lever pivotally connected to said main support member and including a locking notch formed therein adapted to receive said locking pin, whereby said handle and said lever may be relatively positioned to in turn position said pin within said notch and said handle pivotally moved about the connection thereof to said platen to move said platen into said second position through the action of said notch on said pin and maintain said platen positioned therein.

11. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportion in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member comprising a housing formed therein, a plurality of rollers positioned within said housing to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen comprising first and second portions with a plurality of compression springs interconnected therebetween, said platen being pivotally mounted on said support member to a substantially opposite side of said tubes with said second platen portion being adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween by the action of said compression springs on said second platen portion, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position in which said second platen portion does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said second platen portion does contact said tubes, handle means pivotally attached to said platen for moving said platen between said first and second portions, and means cooperatively associated with said handle means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith to facilitate the movement of said platen into said second position against the action of said compression springs and for releasably maintaining said platen positioned therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a locking pin projecting from said handle, and a locking lever pivotally connected to said main support member and including a locking notch formed therein adapted to receive said locking pin, whereby said handle and said lever may be relatively positioned to in turn position said pin within said notch and said handle pivotally moved about the connection thereof to said platen to move said platen into said second position through the action of said notch on said pin and maintain said platen positioned therein, and spring biased release means operatively as sociated with said locking lever and movable from a first position in which said lever is biased toward said pin to a second position in which said lever is biased away from said pin.

12. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member comprising a housing formed therein, a plurality of rollers positioned within said housing to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen comprising first and second portions with a plurality of compression springs interconnected therebetween, said platen being pivotally mounted on said support member to a substantially opposite side of said tubes with said second platen portion being adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween by the action of said compression springs on said second platen portion, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position in which said second platen portion does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said second platen portion does contact said tubes, handle means pivotally attached to said platen for moving said platen between said first and second portions, and means cooperatively associated with said handle means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith to facilitate the movement of said platen into said second position against the action of said compression springs and for releasably maintaining said platen positioned therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a locking pin projecting from said handle, and a locking lever pivotally connected to said main support member and including a locking notch formed therein adapted to receive said locking pin, whereby said handle and said lever may be relatively positioned to in turn position said pin within said notch and said handle pivotally moved about the connection thereof to said platen to move said platen into said second position through the action of said notch on said pin and maintain said platen positioned therein, a release handle pivotally mounted on said main support member adjacent said locking lever, and a compression spring interconnected between said lever and release handle, said release handle being movable from a first position in which said compression spring biases said locking lever away from said locking pin to a second position in which said compression spring biases said locking lever toward said locking pin.

13. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently flexible tubes disposed laterally of each other for the delivery of a plurality of fluids in predetermined relative proportions in'accordance with the respective inner diameters of said tubes, a main support member comprising a housing formed therein, a plurality of rollers positioned within said housing to one side of said tubes and operable to contact said tubes simultaneously and progressively along the respective lengths thereof, a platen comprising first and second portions with a plurality of compression springs interconnected therebetween, said platen being pivotally mounted on said support member to a substantially opposite side of said tubes with said second platen portion being adapted to contact said tubes simultaneously with the contacting thereof by said rollers whereby said tubes may be simultaneously and progressively compressed therebetween by the action of said compression springs on said second platen portion, said platen being pivotally movable from a first position in which said second platen portion does not contact said tubes to a second position in which said second platen portion does contact said tubes, handle means pivotally interconnected at one extremity thereof to said platen for moving said platen between said first and second positions, and means cooperatively associated with said handle means for providing a mechanical advantage in combination therewith to facilitate the movement of said platen into said second position against the action of said compression springs and for releasably maintaining said platen position therein, said last-mentioned means comprising a locking pin projecting from said handle means adjacent the pivotal connection thereof to said platen, a locking lever pivotally mounted on said main support member and having a locking notch formed therein, said handle and locking lever being movable between first relative positions thereof in which said notch is engaged by said pin to second relative positions thereof in which said notch is not engaged by said pin, a release handle pivotally mounted on said support member adjacent said locking lever, and a compression spring interconnected between said locking lever and release handle, said release handle being movable from a first position thereof in which said last-mentioned compression spring biases said locking lever away from said locking pin to a second position in which said last-mentioned compression spring biases said locking lever toward said locking pin.

14. In a pump having a plurality of resiliently compressible tubes disposed laterally of each other and means for compressing said tubes progressively along their lengths simultaneously for the delivery of fluids therethrough during the operation of the pump, said compressing means comprising platen means and pressure roller means comprising rollers between which said tubes are compressed, and a housing providing a support for said tubes and having an opening therein, said pressure rollers and said platen being in position adjacent said opening with said tubes therebetween during the operation of the pump, said pressure roller means being positioned within said housing and said platen means being movable partly through said opening to press said tubes against said rollers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,466,618 4/1949 Stocks 103-149 2,865,303 12/1958 Ferrari et al 103149 3,101,674 8/1963 Weiskopf et al 103-449 DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

WARREN E. COLEMAN, Examiner. 

1. IN A PUMP HAVING A PLURALITY OF RESILIENTLY FLEXIBLE TUBES DISPOSED LATERALLY OF EACH OTHER FOR THE DELIVERY OF A PLURALITY OF FLUIDS IN PREDETERMINED RELATIVE PROPORTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESPECTIVE INNER DIAMETERS OF SAID TUBES, A PLURALITY OF ROLLERS DISPOSED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID TUBES AND OPERABLE TO CONTACT SAID TUBES SIMULTANEOUSLY AND PROGRESSIVELY ALONG THE RESPCTIVE LENGTHS THEREOF, A PLATEN DISPOSED TO A SUBSTANTIALLY OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID TUBES AND ADAPTED TO CONTACT SAID TUBES SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE CONTACTING THEREOF BY SAID ROLLERS WHEREBY SAID TUBES MAY BE SIMULTANEOUSLY AND PROGRESSIVELY COMPRESSED THEREBETWEEN, SAID PLATEN BEING MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID TUBES FROM A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH SAID PLATEN DOES NOT CONTACT SAID TUBES TO A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID PLATEN DOES CONTACT SAID TUBES, MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS FOR RECEIVING A FORCE FOR MOVING SAID PLATEN FROM SAID FIRST TO SAID SECOND POSITION, 